Alcohol use disorder and its related health problems come from a mix of genes, brain activity, and environment, affecting people differently as they grow. In this section, COGA has looked at how the brain works in relation to alcohol use risks and problems. They use brain tests and family info to separate the risks linked […]
This review presents a comprehensive evaluation of genetic methodologies and findings stemming from the family-centered Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism (COGA). COGA’s primary objective was to identify genes influencing the susceptibility to alcohol use disorder (AUD) and its related complications. Notably, COGA was an early adopter of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) while also […]
This article offers an overview of the methodologies offered in collecting data for the COGA study and also dives into the characteristics of the study sample and clinical information. This is a second installment of a 5 paper series. The Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism (COGA) is a comprehensive multidisciplinary research initiative aimed at […]
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition that occurs after experiencing a traumatic event. Although many people are exposed to trauma, only a small percentage develop PTSD. Studies that look at the entire genome (genome-wide association studies or GWAS) have found specific genetic signs related to PTSD in both civilian and military groups. However, studies […]
This research identified specific genetic variations in the KCNJ6 gene linked to changes in brain activity measured through electroencephalogram (EEG) frontal theta event-related oscillations (θ-EROs) during cognitive tasks. These variations are associated with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and are considered to be a sign of susceptibility to AUD. The KCNJ6 gene encodes the GIRK2 protein, […]
Researchers conducted a study to understand how parental divorce and discord, along with genetic factors, influence alcohol-related outcomes in children. They analyzed data from European and African ancestry participants and found that genetic risk for alcohol problems interacts with parental divorce and discord, affecting the age of alcohol initiation and the risk of alcohol use […]
Researchers investigate the relationship between genetic risk for schizophrenia and cannabis-related experiences. A study using a sample of 4,832 individuals from the Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism (COGA) who had a history of alcohol use disorders was conducted. The participants’ cannabis involvement, including cannabis use disorder (CUD), was measured, and their polygenic risk […]
This study examined how parental alcohol dependence symptoms and parenting behaviors can influence teenagers’ risky drinking and conduct problems using a family-based approach. By understanding the impact of both parents’ alcohol problems and their parenting styles, we can gain insights into the factors that contribute to adolescent risk behaviors and behavior problems. The study showed […]
A recent COGA prospective study led by Dr. Gayathri Pandey and colleagues, was covered in Psychology Today by Dr. Dona Matthews. The study investigated whether parents’ closeness to their children aged 12 to 17 had an impact on the teens’ binge drinking behavior. They found that young people at risk of alcohol abuse were less likely to be […]
Genetic predispositions play an important role in the development of alcohol use disorders (AUD). Understanding the psychosocial mechanisms through which genetic risk unfolds to influence AUD is critical for identifying modifiable targets and developing prevention and intervention efforts. In this study, we examined the role of sensation seeking and social support from family and friends […]
